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What's Broken

A bruised Downtown resident needs a concrete explanation about the tricky sidewalk in front of LiteSpa Caf at 109 S. 9th St., near Marquette Avenue.

The resident, who requested anonymity, hurt herself a couple weeks ago when she stepped into a "3-inch pit," tripped and fell. She wrote the Skyway News about her injury and the difficulty the busted sidewalk might pose for people in wheelchairs.

City of Minneapolis Utility Connections Inspector Brad Blackhawk said CenterPoint Energy (CPE) Minnegasco worked on the gas line in front of the Foshay Tower, 801 Marquette Ave. S.

He said the concrete that was removed had been replaced with "cold patch," asphalt used in cold weather until spring, when the concrete is replaced permanently. Blackhawk said CPE is supposed to resurface the area they removed in "as good or better condition than when they left it.

"Well, we've asked them to go down there and look at it again," he said. "It's not very level; it's not a very good [patching job]."

If CPE can't put the cold patch down smoothly, Blackhawk said the city would do the work for them and bill the company. "If that's what it takes," he said.

Ann Anliker, an employee in CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco's Restoration Department, said she called a crew and informed them about the problem.

"[A crew] will go there and redo the area with temporary concrete. They will probably get to that this coming Monday."

If you see a potentially dangerous sidewalk, call Public Works Sidewalk Inspections at 673-2420.

See something broken on Downtown's streets and skyways? We want to know so we can get action. E-mail us at dbrauer@skywaynews.net, or send us a fax at 825-0929 or drop us a line at 1115 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis,